The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-06-30
A story of RAYMOND.

One day in Chicago the comedian
CHANGED to pass a new, large, and very
pretentious hardware store, and among
the clerks noticed very green-look-
ing youth, apparently just from the
prairie. Intent on fun at any ones ex-
pense save his own. Raymond entered
the establishment, and. taking the
youth aside, asked him in his dry,
serious way if he had for sale a copy
of "Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress. :"
The astonished clerk gasped. "'Bun-
vans Pilgrims Progressr La-youre
sure you're in the right storep' glanc-
ing wildly at the hammers, saws, and
metallic implements around him.
Yes" says Raymond, Il was
directed here. want the edition of
17O4, with the original plates by
Hogarth."
..Why this is hardware store," re-
piled the astounded youth.
"I don't care for the price," remark
ed the comedian; ''get me the books
quickly"
"I-I'n go and see the proprietor.
II hardly understand" With this
the Juvenile hardwareman hurries to
the back office, and in minute the
proprietor comes to Mr.. Raymond and
asks him what he wants.
81 want some No. augers; but
your clerk hardly seems to understand
me" innocently says John T. r.
mo. 6 augers, certainly" replies
the proprietor, and he shouts in a
savage voice to the clerk modestly
standing in the backgrounds: Get
what this gentleman wishes at onceT
and goes back to his ledger. angry at
being interrupted for No. 6 augers.
In dazed way the youth approaches
the comedian.
..Well, why don't you get that Bun
yan's Pilgrims Progress?" says Ray
mond; ''didn't you hear what your
boss said?"
"Yes-but II think the boss must
be drunk. This isn't a book store.
''But your master says to get it.
The edition of 17O4-Hogarth's plates.
I'm here for that book, and I mean to
have itp su
'.l1l-Tn go and ask him again.
Perhaps he wants me to send out for
! the cursed book" gasps the clerk, and
disappears once more into the private
office.
After moment the proprietor comes
| out and is about to speak, but Ray,
mond suggests:
isn't he getting them yet? If you
have no No. 6 augers I'll try another
| store"
We've all the No. 6 augers in the
country" cries the hardwareman
with Chicago business modesty
THAT boy must be out. of his head!
"Yes, he does seem little queer,
replies Raymond.
..Curse him, he's drunkr says the
proprietor, and he yells at the clerk
IF you don't fill this gentleman.
order in thirty seconds III discharge
you!" and bolts into his private office
The country clerk is now in appear
ance jibbering idiot, as the comedian
mildly remarks to him: .'You'd better
do what your boss tells you, sonny
| and get me that 'Bunyans Pilgrim
Progress.
This is the devilp gasps the victim
the perspiration standing on his fore
head THE boss must be crazy. HI
can't have heard you-I'l--"
Here the proprietor pokes his head
! out of the private Office, and ejacu
lates, in a voice of thunder, '.What
are you gaping there for, you drunken
fool. Get that gentleman the No.
augers he wants, or I'll bore. hole il
your salary"
mo. augers! Why, you asked me
for 'Bunyan's Pilgrims Progress. II
wipe the floor up with you" yells the
clerk, turning upon Raymond, bu
that genial comedian is already upon
the sidewalk and waving and bowling
a polite and hurried adieu from the
ether side of the large glass front
door.-Neau York Tribune.